Selena Gomez to Star in New Movie and Visit the Congo?

That's right, Selena Gomez isn't just taking over America, she's now spreading her good cheer to the Congo! The singer is off to Africa to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo in her role as a UNICEF ambassador.

Selena told E! Online that she's supposed to go in April. Her first trips for UNICEF were to Ghana and Chile, and she said that those first ones "were to ease me into it."

She also said that Joel Madden helped influence her decision. "He said it was the most intense thing he had ever done in his entire life and the best thing he had ever done."

Selena raised over $200,000 at her acoustic concert in L.A. last Friday for UNICEF.

Another big step for Selena is optioning the book, Sky Is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson as a potential starring vehicle. Deadline reports that Selena and her production company July Moon are developing the novel about a 17-year-old girl who is thrust into the spotlight when her older sister suddenly dies. Selena may also produce it.